Updates below feature many activities of Holy Name friars, including their celebrations, presentations, and ministry events. For more information, visit links to the parishes and organizations mentioned, contact the friars by phone or email, or connect with the HNP Communications Office.
To provide news briefs for future issues of HNP Today, email information to communications director Jocelyn Thomas at communications@hnp.org.
David Convertino, OFM, Dominic Monti, OFM, Xavier Seubert, OFM, and Kevin Tortorelli, OFM, are among those teaching courses through the adult education program at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, New York City, this spring. Details about their courses can be found online and in a booklet available at the parish office on West 31st Street.
Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM, is leaving tomorrow for Peru, accompanying Fr. Melvin Jurisich, OFM, the Province’s General Visitor, as he sees friars in that area as part of preparing for the 2014 Provincial Chapter.
Julian Jagudilla, OFM, has announced a discussion on health care options for migrants will take place Feb. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. in San Damiano Hall on West 31st Street in New York City. Julian, director of the Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, asks interested participants to RSVP by Feb. 6 by calling 212-736-8500 ext. 377 or 305. Information can be found on the parish website. Materials will be available in four languages: English, Haitian Creole, Korean and Spanish.
On Jan. 29, Michael Johnson, OFM, pastor of St. Camillus Parish, Silver Spring, Md., was honored with the Distinguished Pastor of the Year Award by the Archdiocese of Washington, jointly with Fr. John Dillon, for their work in establishing Saint Francis International School. Photos of the event are on the parish Facebook page. SFIS students were busy during Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 26 to 30, according to principal Tobias Harkleroad. Events included a cultural heritage day, family movie night, career day, twin day, and Mass at St. Catherine of Laboure Church in Wheaton, Md., to recognize the parish becoming the fourth to sponsor SFIS.
The late Mychal Judge, OFM, is mentioned in a letter to the editor in Ireland of the Welcomes magazine. The January/February 2014 piece said that The Garden of Remembrance just outside Kinsalee, County Cork, Ireland is “dedicated to the memory of fire chaplain Fr. Mychal Judge and the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11 at the Twin Towers. A tree has been planted for each firefighter with their name on it. A wonderful woman named Kathleen Murphy worked in New York as a nurse for 40 years and Father Judge was a personal friend of hers. When she retired back to her home in Kinsale, she planted these trees as a tribute to the heroes of 9/11.”
Daniel McLellan, OFM, welcomes Gonazalo Torres, OFM, of Pompton Lakes, N.J., to the HNP Chapter Planning Committee, of which Daniel is chair. The committee members are finalizing plans for the spring fraternal gatherings that begin Feb. 24. “Robert Frazzetta, OFM, is lining up our lay speakers,” said Dan. An eighth fraternal gathering planned for April 11 to 13 in Skaneateles, N.Y., was announced yesterday by Michael Harlan.
Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, visited the Poor Clare Sisters of Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., last week and provided a photo.
Kenneth Paulli, OFM, was promoted last month to the position of vice president and chief of staff for Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y. The news was announced after the college’s first campus-wide meeting of the spring semester, where Kevin Mullen, OFM, Siena president, announced promotions within Siena’s senior administration. Kevin said that expanding the cabinet will allow the college to more effectively pursue the goals outlined in Living Our Tradition: The Strategic Plan for Siena College. Details are available on Siena’s website.
Daniel Riley, OFM, asks friars to consider participating in the 2014 Mt. Irenaeus Contemplative Days scheduled for June 23 to 27. Because the Franciscan Mountain Retreat has limited guest space, Dan recommends that friars contact the mountain soon to reserve a room. On Feb. 12, Dan will be in the Bronx, N.Y., for a Mountain Celebration and reception before the 9 p.m. St. Bonaventure University vs. Fordham University basketball game. The Mt. Irenaeus event will be held at 6 p.m. at Fordham Preparatory School.
Xavier Seubert, OFM, is giving a lecture titled “Tombs and Masses: Medieval Rituals of the Dead” at the Cloisters on Feb. 8 in New York City. Information about the event, which is being offered at two times, can be found on the website of St. Francis Church, where he is now stationed.
The late Robert Struzynski, OFM, was mentioned in the January 2014 issue of The Pilgrim, the newsletter of the St. Francis Inn ministries in Philadelphia. With a title of “A Light Has Gone Out,” the piece says “Fr. Bob, known as Fr. Tony when he was here, was one of the three founding friars of St. Francis Inn. His gentleness, kindness and warm smile will be missed by all who knew him. His light his gone out on Earth but his spirit lives on in the many ministries he undertook.” A memorial Mass is being celebrated at St. Bonaventure University on Feb. 8.
On Jan. 27, Thomas Vigliotta, OFM, director of the University of Georgia’s Catholic Center and the Province’s regional vocation director for the South, along with David Hyman OFM, welcomed 30 men to an annual vocations gathering. “The young men enjoyed a wonderful Italian meal and heard Lawrence Anderson, OFM, of Pompton Lakes, N.J., speak about the Franciscan way of life, said David Briones, collegiate coordinator and director of religious education. He provided a photo, adding that “the night concluded with night prayer.”
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by Feb. 12, always the Wednesday before the newsletter’s publication. Updates about the friars and their ministries can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Topics planned for future issues include:
• Profiles of golden jubilarians John Anglin, OFM, Brice Leavins, OFM, and Richard Mucowski, OFM
• Events commemorating the 125th anniversary of St. Joseph Parish in Wilmington, Del.
• Meeting of provincial ministers of the United States provinces of the English-speaking Conference
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas